iDeemlawfulThe Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors on Monday cautioned that it will reinstate a full, indefinite, and comprehensive strike if the Federal Government does not fulfil agreed-upon commitments within four weeks.
The warning was outlined in a communiqué released after NARD’s Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting, signed by its President, Dr Mohammad Suleiman; Secretary-General, Dr Shuaibu Ibrahim; and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr Abdulmajid Ibrahim.
The association had suspended its indefinite industrial action on Saturday after 29 days, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the government. The MoU obligates the government to address NARD’s demands within four weeks.
According to the communiqué, “The strike is suspended for four weeks to allow monitoring of implementation. Failure to fully implement agreements will result in the resumption of a total, indefinite, and comprehensive strike.”
The NEC assessed progress on several agreements with the Federal Government. On the seven-month arrears from the 25–35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure review, it noted that the Integrated Personnel Payroll and Information System had processed payments up to December 2023, except for certain failed or omitted payments, which NARD plans to reconcile with IPPIS.
On the 2024 accoutrement allowance, the association said most payments had been made, though reconciliation of failed or omitted transactions was still outstanding.
It added that for the five disengaged resident doctors at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, the committee’s report had been submitted, with full implementation expected within two weeks from November 27, 2025.
On extended work and call hours, the communiqué noted that an advisory had been issued discouraging excessive duty schedules, and a task force had been constituted to create a formal policy within two months.
To address manpower gaps, workload pressure, and burnout, the NEC said the Minister of Health had directed the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to conclude the one-to-one replacement plan, with feedback due by November 28, 2025.
“On promotion arrears, the list is to be transmitted to the Budget Office and Ministry of Finance within one month. On the House Officers’ Scheme of Service exclusion, the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission is to transmit benefits to the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria for implementation.
“On the universal CONMESS application, the Ministry of Health is mandated to apply it across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. The circular on corrected professional allowances has been released. On the casualisation of resident doctors, Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors are to standardise locum engagement — minimum six months; preference in recruitment — and the committee is to produce a policy within two months,” the communiqué stated.
It further noted that for specialist allowances for resident doctors, an OHCSF directive had been issued, with the NSIWC responsible for execution. It added that the downgrading of the entry point from CONMESS 3 to CONMESS 2 had been resolved, with the Ministry directed to work with the Accountant-General of the Federation and IPPIS to ensure seamless upgrading.
The slow pace of the Collective Bargaining Agreement committee led the Ministries of Health, Labour, and Employment to accelerate their efforts.
The NEC stressed that outstanding salaries and arrears in several hospitals, including Otukpo, Owo, Ilorin, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, and Uyo, must be forwarded by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to the Budget Office and Ministry of Finance for processing within one month.
It said local issues at state teaching hospitals and federal health institutions, especially the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, need urgent action.
The communiqué also noted that special pension benefits under the Nigerian Medical Association MoU would be pursued, with a letter sent to the PENCOM Director-General as the committee reconvenes.
The NEC acknowledged the government’s recognition of worsening infrastructure and outdated equipment in health institutions. It added that matters concerning consultant cadres for other health workers would be handled under the CBA and noted progress on additional MoU commitments.
NARD said it would strictly monitor the government’s compliance and would restart industrial action if the agreements are not fully carried out within four weeks.
It was resolved that the five disengaged FTH Lokoja doctors be completely reinstated within two weeks; that the 25–35 per cent CONMESS arrears, accoutrement allowance, specialist allowance for CONMESS 5 doctors, promotion arrears, and unpaid salaries/allowances in the affected hospitals be collated, transmitted, and settled within one month.
It also resolved that a Central Task Force Committee will address duty hours and locum policies within two months; that the CBA process resume and be concluded promptly; and that the one-to-one replacement initiative be executed to resolve manpower shortages.
All remaining agreements from conciliatory meetings, it added, must be enforced without delay.
The association emphasised that while the strike is paused for four weeks to track compliance, any failure to implement the agreements will lead to a full, indefinite strike.
“All State Teaching Hospitals and Federal Health Institutions with unresolved issues should continue industrial action until genuine commitments are made and all remaining agreements from conciliatory meetings are resolved,” it stated.
